Travel Eating

This week, I am going to be traveling a bit, which is always an adventure in healthy eating. What's worse is that this is a conference where meals are often provided, so I'm kind of stuck with whatever they're putting on offer for that. I can control how much of it I eat, but if I don't eat enough I'll be hungry, and then I'm more likely to eat whatever I can get my hands on. So, I've learned to do a bit of strategic planning for these kinds of events. Here are some of the things I've learned to do.

1) They have yet to decide to take away food from our carry-on, so I always have some snacks with me on the plane. I get bored and nervous when I travel, so I like to have a snack to keep me calm and rational. Plus, if you get anything at all on the plane, it's usually junk like cookies that are no good at all for you. Not to mention a total mystery in terms of calories and fat. If I eat what I know, it's all accounted for.

I usually get pre-packaged stuff like granola bars, 100-cal packs of cookies and crackers, some Just Fruit snacks (apples, mostly), little boxes of moderately healthy cereals, maybe an energy bar. I try to make it exciting by having things I don't normally buy (read: expensive stuff) because it makes me feel more excited to fly...I hate to fly. That way I get something healthy but also fun and rewarding.

I try to take enough in my carry-on to last through the flight out, and then I pack extra in my suitcase that I can eat while I'm away and for the return flight.

2) That leads to my second strategy, which is always to have stuff in my conference bag while I'm going to sessions and stuff. I not only have stuff in my bag, but if there's a little grocery nearby I'll go and stock up on some food that is harder to transport in a suitcase for the flight, like real fruit and vegetables. If there's not a fridge in the room, my options are slightly more limited, but I can usually find stuff to get me through. I'll also look for anything unusual that we don't have at home, so I can experiment. Even if it's something a little unhealthy, it's fun to try something new!

If there's no grocery nearby, I just make do with whatever I have in the bag, more carefully rationing for the whole trip.

3) When there's an option, I've recently started choosing a vegetarian meal for anything I'm doing as part of the conference. Usually (not always) that's healthier, though sometimes that means cream sauce. This annoys me, but what can you do? It's a risk that's worth taking. Then when I'm out with friends and have a choice of the menu, I can decide whether I want a meat-based entrée. I'm in better control then, so it's great.

4) I try to walk around a lot, too. Conferences are high on butt-chair intimacy, but I just do what I can to walk walk walk. If that's sneaking out for a bit for a walk around the block, that's great. If it's taking the stairs a bit, better. If it's going to the hotel treadmill, I guess that's okay. :)  Mostly, it's just a matter of doing the best I can without making a big stink about it. It's just that every little bit helps, so why not?

If possible, I also try to get a map of the surrounding area. If I can find a restaurant to walk to with friends, that's a great way to exercise while socializing and finding a fun little hideaway restaurant away from the craziness of the conference hotel.

5) Last, I try not to be too hard on myself. It's likely I'll go over my points. It's likely I will be too tempted by the cupcake place down the road to resist entirely. I'm sure a glass of wine will be just the thing to go with dinner. I'm positive that ice cream place just down at the corner will scream my name. It's okay!! I'm on "vacation." Work vacation, but whatever. I let myself be a little bit indulgent just so I don't feel deprived or that I'm missing some element of the place where I am. If I can be good most of the time, I don't have to worry about the occasional treat. If I come home a pound or two heavier, then I'll just take care of it when I get home! :)

So, there's my pep talk to myself. Dena, be good at this conference. Do your best to stay on track. But be a real person with joy in your life, too, and let a little bit of that joy be found in food. It's okay!  I hope you will do the same!